wallan

So sorry for your sister... and for you...

There is hope for stage 4... always  always hope. I agree with everyone else. You need to get her another doctor and one who is hopeful and helpful and not so negative....

Hang in there!!

Wendy A 

Hey TraceY:

   You are in good hands, I think. And these ladies all love you. So hold on....

You are worth it and you still have any chances....

HUGS

Wendy A 

Hey ladies:

   Question? Anyones hair fall out when on aromasin? I have been on this drug for a year now and this morning I was coming my hair and TONS of hair was coming out. I could run my hand thru my hair and hair would fall out.

  This has not happened since chemo. So I figure it is the lack of estrogen...

Anyone else?

Its a good thing I have always had way too much hair, thick and unruly. Otherwise, i would be freaking about now.

Wendy A 

Congratulations

This is awesome

Wendy A

Sorry for your dx, sweetie. It does sound like you have had a rough time of it.

I think your stress level can suppress your immune system and affect your health, but to "cause" your breast cancer totally is not true. No-one knows what causes it.

Having said that, I am glad you left your marriage because you deserve a much better life than that!  I don' t think you would have died from breast cancer if you had stayed (how dare your doctor say that) but I do think you would have died spiritually or emotionally and that is worse.

I sure hope you have support now and well looked after.

HUGs to you

Wendy A

I definitely would have your symptoms checked out for peace of mind and relief of the pain. You don't deserve to be pain like that.

Having said that, I had pain in my shoulder and in my right arm like you had... it was on the same side as my mastectomy. I had it checked... bone scan and xrays. Nothing showed. It turned out to be tendonitis in my elbow and a little bit of swelling in my arm. It was all from surgery and overuse of my arm or something.

That was a few years ago. I don't have that pain anymore. It did improve.

So its not necessarily recurrance. But it is important to get it checked out...

Good luck to you

Wendy A

HUGS to you.

You are obviously very stressed and that I think brings out our fears we try to forget about. Like recurrance.

I can tell you, I have been NED for over 4 years now and I have been thru tons of stress. My dad died two years after my dx and even though my parents had been divorced for over 20 years and were married to other people, his death ripped my family apart as my mothers bitterness spilled out. And then, I had to have a hysterectomy and ovaries out and I was premenopausal. My hubby was not the most understanding, loving person and started to have a bit of an emotional affair with an old girlfrend... STRESSS

And then, I am trying to finish up my PhD in biochemistry and my supervisor is a jerk. So.... stress big time.

But, i am NED.... I know stress can wreck havoc with your health... but stress is a fact of life. We just have to learn to deal with it in a healthy way. That is what I tell myself anyways.

And I have to say, in my worse stress filled days, I do worry more than usual about recurrance. Anxieties feed on anxieties..

 But with exercise, vitamins, aromasin, sleep, good diet (most of the time anyways) and venting here... I cope. Plus, I try and laugh and pamper myself and remember that life is precious and try not to sweat the small stuff.

Lots of prayer helps too.....

Wendy A

Hi Daisy.

 Welcome. You have quite the spirit!

Wendy A

I too am very sorry for your loss

Wendy A

Hi Mary:

   I am so sorry to hear about your dx. It really sucks, I know. Right now for you is the hardest time emotionally. Its a shock, its overwhelming, it seems so unbelievable. You are lucky to have a supportive family and a friend who knows what it is like. She may be a real resource to you.

  Now, you also have us. This site is awesome... and there are thousands of women who never have a recurrance... who live full, productive lives. Hang your hat on this. Stats are outdated, doctors can be insensitive idiots... you need to know that.

  Coming here and venting is good for you. We welcome you and really understand what you are going through.

  I was dx in March 2004... 7.5 cm tumor, 2/18 nodes positive, ER/PR+ grade 3.. I had mastectomy, 6 months AC+taxol chemo, 30 rounds of radiation, a hysterectomy, ovaries out and now aromasin.. which is hormone therapy. I was 41 when dx. I am now 45. And, I am well.

 This site has really helped me through alot and continues to do so.

We are there for you.

Wendy A